James Frazer was a Scottish anthropologist and folklorist, best known for his work in the field of comparative religion and mythology. He gained prominence with his book, The Golden Bough, which explores the similarities between various religious practices and beliefs across cultures. Frazer's ideas contributed significantly to the study of mythology and rituals, influencing many scholars in the social sciences. Frazer's theories often focused on the evolution of human thought, suggesting that societies progress through stages of magic, religion, and science. His work laid the groundwork for later anthropological studies and sparked discussions about the nature of belief systems and their impact on human behavior.